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From: taz@athena.mit.edu (Brian P Shea)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Pals] A new friend.
Date: 16 Aug 1993 19:40:49 GMT
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Lines: 65
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <24ons1$f9f@senator-bedfellow.MIT.EDU>
NNTP-Posting-Host: ceci007.mit.edu

   It is evening in Generica, and people throughout the town are
settling down for dinner.  Among them are Lady Justine and
Teejay.  
   Teejay looks up as Selene comes comes over with their food. 
She sets down a plate with a large steak, baked potato, and cob
of corn before Justine, and a large bowl of salad with various
vegetables mixed in before Teejay.  
   "How can you eat that?", Justine asks Teejay with a look of
disgust.
   "I could ask you the same thing," says Teejay, sounding like
he's heard this question many times before.  
   The table is quiet for a while as the two dig into their
respective meals.  When they finish, Selene brings them a pot of
herbal tea, and the pair lean back in their chairs, looking
relaxed.  Teejay lets out a sigh of contentment, and Justine
responds with a smile. 
   "It _has_ been a while, hasn't it?"  she says.
   "Yes, it has."
    The pair look up as a tall, thin figure with a voluminous
blue tunic and grey cape approaches the table.  He has a short,
well trimmed beard, and piercing eyes.  The several rings he
wears catch a glint of firelight.
   "Well met.  Mind if I join your table?  You seem to be kindred
spirits, of a sort.  My name is Zanethar, and I am a newcomer to
this part of Generica. Fate brought me here, and I looking for
those whom I would call friend."  He bows low, and appears to be
awaiting a reply.  
   As Justine and Teejay gaze at this stranger, they note that
his skin is a dark, ruddy complexion, and although he speaks
well, they detect a slight accent in his speech.  Teejay looks
to Justine, and she shrugs.  
   "Please, join us," Teejay says, and Zanethar takes the offered
seat.  "I am Teejay, and this is the Lady Justine.  It seems our
fates have crossed, bringing us to the inn at the same time.  We
have been brought here on a matter of," he searches for a word,
"business."
   "Business?  I guess you could call it that," says Justine. 
"What of you, Zanethar?  What has brought you to the inn on this
night?"
   "You might say that I came here looking for 'business 
opportunities'. I have but recently arrived in your fair city,
and this was the first tavern that I chanced upon.  I'm sorry
if I'm interrupting anything, but the only way one makes friends
is by being one."
   "Not at all, we were just sitting back and relaxing," says
Justine.  "Tea?"
  "Thank you."  Justine pours a cup, and Zanethar takes a sip
before continuing.  "Might you be looking for a business partner?
Perhaps an extra set of eyes and ears?  In my homeland I am an
accomplished merchant, among other things. Pehaps my skills might
be of use to you?"  

___________________________________
These opinions don't belong to anyone but me. (Except by
accident.)

Daniel W. Elwell
NASA/GSFC  Code 534.2          phone:    (301)-286-2342
Greenbelt, MD 20771            fax:      (301)-286-7911
internet: delwell.530.gsfc@POSTMAN.NASA.GSFC.GOV  
gsfcmail: delwell

----- & -----
Brian Shea
The secret to the universe is car-goat-goat.